Local businesses grant sh5.1bn for devt

A group of local business companies contributed over Sh5.1bn to the state development projects and social services including education, environment and health last year, according to a survey carried out by ‘Konsalt’ company consultants in collaboration with the Research Centre for Social Development Services.

The survey titled: “Corporate Social Support 2015” that was conducted for the first time in Tanzania to establish, among others, the nature of relations among government, business community and the public found out that NMB Bank stood in the fore among the nine leading case studies by contributing Sh1.39bn to support of education, health and financial literacy projects.

The survey that involved nine business entities over how they contributed to the development of various sectors also found Bank M Ltd that contributed Sh1.13 billion to education, environment, health and water projects as a runner up, followed by Vodacom Foundation for its contribution of Sh1bn to education and health.

Tanzania Breweries Ltd (TBL), CRDB Bank, Aluminium Africa Ltd, Lafarge Ltd, Exim Bank Ltd, and Mkombozi Commercial Bank Ltd issued the remaining portion of funds for development in economic sector, health, education, environment, agriculture, water projects, relief and road safety.

Revealing the findings in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Executive Director for Konsalt Dickson Hyera said the survey also established that while the public benefitted from the support, businesses gained good market standing for brand awareness, loyalty, visibility and association with increased sound relationship with the community and the government. 

“The results are in line with other observations proving that businesses create economies when consumers purchase from socially responsible companies.

Customers build circles to support a business that apparently grows quickly and with great impact,” said Director of the Training Programme with Research Center for Social Development Services, Abraham Shempemba, implying importance of businesses in supporting the community.

Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Abdallah Kigoda commended the business companies, saying “they have contributed 24 per cent of all resources in education sector, 18.8 per cent of the heath services, 17.5 per cent of the water services and 13.4 per cent in mother and child care services, in what is basically the role of the government.”

SOURCE: IPPMEDIA

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